Hi,

I hope I’ll able to answer this question rightly!

As per the current lawsuits in India, engagement does not carry any legal significance. Legally, engagement is not counted as equal to marriage. As per law, marriage is a pious relationship and all the customs of a marriage are acknowledged under law; however, it is not the case with that of Engagement.

Therefore, at time an engagement is being called off by any other the parties, there will be no legal penalty or enforcement to avoid that to happen.

• The possible consequences you might encounter on breaking off an engagement-

The only consequence of breaking off an engagement is to reimburse the expenditure borne by other party, and same has to be done by you as well. Like all the gifts, money being exchanged during and due to this occasion, have to be returned. If you don’t do this, it might cause you to face some legal issues of fraud or cheating if filed by the other party.

Besides this outcomes, there is no boundation for anyone to compulsorily marry the person you are engaged with.

What are the circumstances in which you might seek legal intervention for your broken-up engagement matter?

• If there is a written-agreement or commitment signed on a legal document by both the parties that clearly states the intension of both to get marry after engagement.
• If you prove that the person has cheated you, or has done some fraudulent act with you which resulted in the damage of your reputation, property or body. By registering a case under IPC 415, you can take legal action.

All and all, taking up any legal step against the person you had been engaged to will only get you justice, but law will not force anyone for “marriage”.